Bench to bring Cotton On to PH

ABS-CBN News

A Cotton On store can be seen in Vivo City in Singapore.Photo from the Facebook page of Cotton On

MANILA, Philippines -- Suyen Corp., the company behind the popular apparel brand Bench, is bringing another foreign brand to the Philippines as it extends its presence in the country's fashion and retail industry.

On Monday, Bench announced on Twitter that it has "acquired" the Australian brand Cotton On and will open branches in the country.

"Bench acquired another international brand with over 800 stores worldwide! COTTON ON opening soon!" Bench tweeted.

A Cotton On billboard has also been put up near the Guadalupe Bridge, where Bench has several ads.

On its newly created Facebook page, Cotton On Philippines said it will open its first store on September 7 at the SM Mall of Asia.

Branches at SM Megamall and Bonifacio High Street are also being planned.

Over the years, Suyen has brought several foreign brands to the country such as La Senza, Aldo, Charles and Keith and The Face Shop.

Bench is celebrating 25th anniversary this year.

Fashion show

To mark the opening of its first store in the country, Cotton On Philippines is accepting male and female models from 18 to 24 years old to be part of the brand's fashion show.

Applicants are asked to send their name, birthday, and contact number through a direct message on Facebook until 12 noon of August 29.

"You will be advised once shortlisted. Spread the word!" it said.

According to Cotton On's Facebook page, the Australian brand, which began in 1991 with a store in Geelong, has stores in New Zealand, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

"With a vision to open stores into the thousands in the coming five years, Cotton On Group is taking the world by storm with its focus on fast, accessible and affordable fashion for everyone," Cotton said on Facebook.

The original Cotton On started with women's wear but has since expanded its line to include men's and children's wear, intimates, sleepwear and activewear with Cotton On Body, footwear with Rubi shoes; and gifts and stationery with Typo.